Frank Wolf outraised by Democratic opponent

Updated 2 p.m. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) continued his comparatively lackluster fundraising pace in the last quarter of 2011, bringing in less cash than his Democratic opponent even as the incumbent remains the clear favorite in November.

Wolf took in just $70,000 in the last three months of the year, ending December with $318,000 in the bank. Retired Air Force Gen. John Douglass, his likely Democratic foe, raised $115,000 for the quarter but had less cash on hand — $169,000.

Wolf has often raised less money than other veteran lawmakers in non-election years, particularly given that he holds a senior post on the powerful Appropriations Committee. His slow pace has occasionally prompted speculation that he would choose to retire, but Wolf has made clear that he is running for another term and held a campaign kickoff event last week.

Wolf typically picks up the fundraising pace in election years, and he is still expected by strategists in both parties to win in November. He has won in the past by wide margins even though his Loudoun-based 10th district is swing territory — President Obama won it by 7 percent in 2008. The seat is poised to become friendlier to Republicans if the Virginia redistricting map recently signed into law, and currently being challenged in court, gets implemented.

Elsewhere in Northern Virginia, Rep. Gerald Connolly (D) reported raising $195,000 in the 4th quarter and ended the year with $732,000 on hand. Connolly will also likely face a military opponent, retired Army Col. Chris Perkins (R), who took in just $21,000 for the quarter and finished 2012 with $47,000 in the bank. Traffic engineer Ken Vaughn (R) had slightly more cash on hand, $52,000, though nearly all of his money has come out of his own pocket. Like Wolf, Connolly would also get a safer seat under the new redistricting map.

Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D), whose district is already secure for Democrats, hauled in $52,000 for the quarter and finished with $471,000 in the bank. Retired Army Col. Patrick Murray (R), who is seeking a rematch with Moran after being trounced in 2010, raised $17,000 in the last three months of the year, beginning 2012 with $5,000 to spend.

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